NIYYAH
The person who intends to perform Hajj must do so with the expression of niyyah of attaining Allah’s pleasure, and to fulfil one’s fardh, and also to diligently carry out the Commands of Allah and his Rasool sallallahu alayhi wasallam. The rewards for deeds depend greatly on the niyyah that is formed, and the ‘ibaadah of Hajj has the exclusive status of being fardh only once a lifetime, for those who can afford it. It is, therefore, important that the sincerity of intention must be given due regard during your journey to Hajj and a concerted effort towards developing this all important sincerity must be made.
Hajj should be kept free of ulterior and worldly motives. Joining worldly objectives with religious aims is like adding water to milk. There are three types of adulteration, which are possible in the performance of Hajj, which are 1)Even before departing from home by having a desire to be called a haji, and using haraam or doubtful earnings for this ‘ibaadah. 2) To engage in improper acts while performing Hajj e.g. to commit sins during the time that one is engaged in the performance of Hajj, like, to have arguments, not to make tawbah (repentance). 3) To complete the Hajj and then to indulge in such deeds that defile the Hajj, for example, when you neglect the fardh salaat, to indulge in sin etc.
While in Hajj, do not do things to display to others. Do not announce your Hajj to all and sundry. (To avoid riyaa, which is to show off and act to gain fame). On returning from Hajj, do not emphasize the difficulties which may have been endured, instead, turn your attention towards the eternal benefits and rewards you will receive. One must understand that the difficulties endured during this sacred journey are insignificant compared to the high position one will receive in jannah.
TAWBAH
Before beginning one’s journey, repent sincerely. Perform two rakaats (nafl) with the niyyah of tawbah. The effect of sincerely repenting and then proceeding for hajj will be, that one will be favoured by Allah Ta‘ala and blessed with the strength to continually do good deeds, also endeavor to develop a relationship with a pious person for guidance. This will assist you in making a true and sincere tawbah.
FULFILMENT OF DEBT
If you have monetary debt or are responsible for any moral transgres sion, then fulfil your debt or have it waived, and have your moral violations forgiven. It is important that one settles all outstanding matters and transactions, and has his faults and shortcomings forgiven. All amaanaat (trusts) and anything borrowed must be returned. A detailed and final will must be made regarding all important matters.
EDUCATION
It is compulsory for a person who wishes to perform Hajj to learn the necessary masaail well before the time of Hajj. When a firm intention is made, then first learn the necessary masaail, or acquire these from a reliable and recognized aalim (scholar).
DEPARTURE
Depart with happiness from home. A Hajj which is performed with a feeling of love and keenness is conducive to religious upliftment, whereas inconvenience during travel should not hamper this love and keenness. Also it is important to perform two rakaats nafl before departing and give some sadaqah to the poor before leaving home and also after commencing your journey.
You should ask your near and dear ones, neighbours and friends, to overlook and forgive your shortcomings by making a request for their du‘aa. Make musafahah (shake hands) using both hands when leaving but do not make musafahah with non-mahrams (those of the opposite sex whom you can marry).Be at your best behaviour amongst your companions. Assist them in their needs because a person who helps his companions on this journey will be regarded as a mujaahid (one who strives to uplift Islam).
IBAADAH (SALAAT, DU‘AA, TAWAAF AND TILAAWAT)
It is necessary to take great care and be punctual in the performance of all salaat with jama‘at whilst visiting the sacred places. Do not delay any salaat at all. The reward for one salaat in the Masjidul Haraam (Makkah) is 100,000 fold (with jama‘at 2,700,000). The reward for salaat in the Masjidun Nabawi (Madeenah) is 50,000 fold. Each good deed done in Makkah is equivalent in reward to 100,000 good deeds done elsewhere and whenever entering either of the two masjid or any other masjid, form a niyyah for nafl i‘tikaaf. Your stay in the Masjidul Haraam and Masjidun Nabawi must be with utmost dignity and honour.
After every salaat, beseech from Allah ta‘aalaa that He grants you a mabroor Hajj (one that is accepted and free from sin). i.e a hajj which is full of Allah ta‘aalaa’s blessings and favours. A haji is fortunate in being present at the various sacred places where du‘aas are assured acceptance. Therefore, repeatedly ask Allah ta‘aalaa for your needs of this world and the hereafter. Your du‘aa must be appropriate and made with respect and humbleness and do not ask for meaningless and unrighteous things. There are three persons whose du‘aa are assured acceptance- the oppressed, the traveler and the father’s du‘aa for his son, (meaning, children).
Perform as many tawaaf, umrah and nafl salaat as you can and make du‘aa that the thawaab (reward) of this be presented to Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam and complete the Qur’aan at least once in each of the two Holy Masjid, i.e. Makkah and Madeenah. Also perform nafl salaat with the niyyah of expressing one’s gratitude to Allah ta‘aalaa.
MAKKAH MUKARRAMAH
During your stay in Makkah, abundantly increase your recital of the Kalimah Tayyibah: Laa’ilaha il lal’lahu·, and istighfar: ‘Astaghfirullah. If you desire, give an excellent gift to your near dear ones, friends who are living, and especially those who have passed away. The gift of the rewards of tawaaf and umrah will please their souls very much and there will be no reduction from your own reward for these acts.
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said that the water of Zamzam will have the desired effect of whatever intention is made at the time of drinking Zamzam. Zamzam should be drunk with the intention of quenching the thirst of the Day of Qiyaamah (resurrection) and it should also be taken with the intention of shifaa (cure) from spiritual and physical ailments. It is commendable to drink Zamzam with the niyyah of being granted the tawfeeq of conforming to the sunnah of our beloved Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
MADEENAH MUNAWWARAH
As stated in hadeeth by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that (i) “Whoever comes with the sole intention of visiting my grave, my intercession will become incumbent for that person”. (ii) “Whoever visits my grave after my death is like the one who has visited me during my lifetime”.
Recite durood (salutations) in abundance on Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam, on beginning your journey to Madeenah Munawwarah, and during your stay there. Always remember that to hurt or cause inconvenience to any Muslim and especially the people of Madeenah, Munawwarah is a great sin.
GENERAL
Choose an able pious companion who will assist you in times of need, and it is better if this companion is a reliable recognized aalim (scholar). Regard the time in Hajj as a blessing because one never knows when one may be favoured with this good fortune again.
Since your stay there is a short one, you should value every moment there. Do not waste your time roaming in the bazaars and do not indulge in meaningless things and idle talk.
Also, do not allow your attention to drift towards the decoration and splendour of the buildings, nor indulge in humour and ridicule. One must be extremely cautious with regard to the etiquette of these sacred places. Any disrespect in this regard will be a cause for retribution.
Never criticize the conditions and people there. After all, the local residents are human and are prone to faults just as we are. So, when noticing the shortcomings of others, special attention must immediately be drawn to one’s own faults and weak points.
One must make a concentrated effort to avoid sin, especially casting passionate glances at females, who are present at Hajj. One must keep one’s gaze lowered when women gather for tawaaf and salaat-u-salaam.
